Sarvinoz Bultakova, a native of Jizzakh, received her education in Uzbekistan, China, and Poland and currently serves as a Consulting Engineer at the global technology company Cisco. In an interview with IT Park Uzbekistan and The Tech, she shared her journey into network engineering, her experience building a career in an international company while remaining true to her goals and roots, and her insights on working in a multicultural team, maintaining work-life balance, and the future of IT in Uzbekistan.
Sarvinoz Bultakova, city — Jizzakh, Consulting Engineer, Cisco, LinkedIn
I was born and raised in Jizzakh, Uzbekistan. From an early age, I dreamed of studying abroad and developed a deep fascination with technology — I was always curious about how the internet works and how applications are created.
My education began at School No. 1 named after A. S. Pushkin in Jizzakh, after which I graduated from college in the same city. At the age of 19, I enrolled at the Changzhou Institute of Mechatronic Technology in China, where I studied engineering. I dedicated the first year to learning the Chinese language through an English-taught program and obtained the HSK 4 certificate (the official Chinese language proficiency exam, similar to IELTS). Even before traveling to China, I had achieved an IELTS score of 7.0, which enabled me to pursue studies abroad with confidence.
When the COVID-19 pandemic began, I had to return to Uzbekistan. Six months later, I applied to continue my education in Poland. I chose Vincent Pol University not only for its high academic standards but also because Poland is recognized as one of the safest and most cost-effective countries in the European Union for international students. All courses were conducted in English, and I successfully completed my studies with a degree in Business Management.
During my studies in Poland, I also discovered supplementary courses in network engineering, which reignited my passion for IT. It was at that time that I truly came to understand how the internet operates and realized that technology was not merely an interest but a professional path I wanted to dedicate my career to.
While studying, I began to acquire practical work experience. My first position was a part-time role at McDonald’s, where I learned to work effectively in a team, communicate with people, and manage my time efficiently. This experience helped me develop professional discipline and understand the importance of customer interaction.
Simultaneously, I worked as a freelance field engineer, applying my engineering knowledge to real-world projects. This position allowed me to strengthen my technical and analytical skills, solve practical challenges, and build confidence in the field of IT and engineering.
After graduation, I was offered a one-year internship at Cisco, which became a pivotal milestone in my professional journey. During the internship, I gained practical experience in IT and network technologies and successfully obtained the CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) certification.
Upon completing the internship, I was offered a permanent position. Since then, I have continued to develop my expertise, including pursuing the CCNP-SP Core (Cisco Certified Network Professional — Service Provider Core) certification. This process has helped me grow within the company and deepen my technical proficiency. In the modern technological landscape, where innovation evolves rapidly, continuous learning is essential to remain competent. Working at Cisco feels like being immersed in an ocean — full of limitless knowledge and opportunities, where learning never truly ends.
Currently, I hold the position of Consulting Engineer at Cisco. My responsibilities include designing client infrastructure and solutions, providing technical consultancy services, and assisting clients in selecting and implementing optimal technologies for business growth.
Securing a position at Cisco required me to undergo a rigorous five-stage recruitment process, which included a technical assessment, communication test, presentation, HR interview, and final approval. Each stage assessed different competencies — from technical expertise to communication and presentation skills. Only persistent self-development and determination enabled me to succeed.
Working at Cisco offers numerous opportunities: I participate in international projects, travel extensively across EU countries, exchange expertise with colleagues worldwide, and build a long-term career in technology. Since the pandemic, the company has adopted more flexible working conditions: I typically work remotely two to three days per week, which saves commuting time while maintaining collaboration with my team.
In my team, there is no sense of competition. Being part of a global company such as Cisco means less internal competition and the greater emphasis on learning and development. The more knowledge and skills you acquire, the more doors open before you. At Cisco, technologies are constantly evolving — and with them come new opportunities for professional growth.
The working environment is friendly, and every contribution is valued — even small achievements are acknowledged by both colleagues and management. We operate as a global team, and as long as you deliver results, there are no issues.
In international companies such as Cisco, the following are highly valued:
In contrast, local companies may present challenges related to language barriers. For instance, in Poland, many vacancies require fluency in Polish, which can complicate communication.
Salaries in international companies depend on experience, skill set, and country of residence. Since I live in Poland, my income is governed by Polish law; however, international companies generally offer competitive remuneration packages, along with additional benefits such as medical insurance, a Multisport card, and an annual performance-based bonus. On average, an engineer at an international company earns approximately USD 62,000 per year.
Overall, I greatly enjoy living and working in Poland. My working hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., after which I strive to maintain a healthy lifestyle. I often meet friends to exchange knowledge, practice languages, and share experiences. I also dedicate time to sports — fitness, yoga, swimming, and Pilates — training about four times a week, usually around 7–8 a.m.
Cisco additionally offers 10 paid days per year for charitable activities. This initiative, known as Time to Give (T2G), allows employees to select dates and locations to do something meaningful. During this period, we usually receive emails with information on various volunteer events we can join. On T2G days, we gather early in the morning, around 7–8 a.m., and engage in community service activities such as gardening, assisting the elderly, or packing and delivering food to those in need. There are many opportunities, and everyone can choose an initiative that resonates with them personally.
Strong companies and innovative projects are now emerging in Uzbekistan, offering professionals opportunities for growth and remote work for international organizations.
Today, many young IT specialists in Uzbekistan are already building stable careers. The government provides equal opportunities and actively supports the development of the IT sector.
In recent years, Uzbekistan’s IT industry has grown considerably. There has been a significant increase in the number of startups, technology parks, educational institutions, and accelerators. Young professionals are becoming more active in adopting new technologies and learning foreign languages.
Uzbekistan is among the fastest-growing countries in the region. To achieve professional growth, it is no longer necessary to go abroad. The key is to have:
I intend to continue my career at Cisco and become one of the leading engineers in my field. My ultimate goal is to achieve the title of Distinguished Engineer — the highest level attainable by an engineer. This is the goal I am fully committed to, dedicating myself to continuous learning, professional development, and the expansion of my technical expertise.
In the future, I plan to establish my own IT project in Uzbekistan to contribute to the growth of the national industry. My ambition is to create a multinational technology company that designs, manufactures, and sells networking and telecommunications equipment, as well as advanced IT solutions. The company will focus on enterprise networks, cybersecurity, cloud technologies, network infrastructure, and network management software. I want to help organizations and individuals around the world connect devices, data, and people — ensuring secure and reliable network operations.
Young IT specialists should focus on improving their foreign language proficiency, developing technical and communication skills, building a strong portfolio, contributing to open-source projects, and actively engaging with the global IT community.
Today, it is no longer necessary to relocate abroad to work for an international company — this can be achieved directly from Uzbekistan.
